The four teams for Brazil’s 2017 Raia Rapida (translates to “Fast Lane”) sprint meet have been confirmed: the host nation, the United States, Italy and Argentina. And for the first time, the meet will feature both men and women – two swimmers of each gender per team.

The decision was met both with excitement and criticism around the world, with the IOC believing the events’ inclusion promotes gender equality. One swimmer vocally in favor of the changes is Olympic gold medalist and world record holder Adam Peaty of Great Britain. He spoke to the BBC just prior to the IOC’s announcement, saying he was “100% in favor” of the new schedule as it would “add spice.”

Speaking from experience, as Peaty helped GBR take mixed medley relay gold at the 2015 World Championships, the breaststroking ace says, “It’s something that would make things [at the Olympics] a little bit more fun.

“Obviously it’s very serious, but it’s great to mix things up from what they’ve been for so long as it adds a little spice and they’re great to watch.”

For Peaty, the relay means another opportunity for additional hardware, as the Loughborough athlete already competes in the men’s 4x100m medley relay and individual breaststroke events. The 22-year-old also would have undoubtedly benefited had the IOC included another proposal involving the addition of 50m events for backstroke, breaststroke and freestyle. Peaty holds the 50m world record and took gold in the race in Kazan.

“Everyone loves the 50s because they’re so close and tight, so the more 50s and more events the better really,” said Peaty.

Only the 50m freestyle will be contested for Tokyo 2020, but with Peaty’s, among others, opinions being heard it’s reasonable to expect this same topic to come up for Paris or LA 2024.

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I guess this mixed medley relay is a done deal along with 3 on 3 basketball. Feels “gimmicky” to me. 90% of the countries will have men on the front half and women on the back half. A good deal if you’re a male breaststroker or female flyer.

If this relay had been around at Rio, Ryan Murphy, David Plummer, Kevin Cordes, Dana Vollmer, Worrel, Simone Manuel, and Abby Weitzel would all have been holding their breath during Cody Miller’s leg to make sure he didn’t jeopardize their gold medals!

@Sven @TAA Interesting takes.
I wonder who will be make the relay decisions: NBC or the coaches?
If you thought relay choices were political before, just think of the possibilities when the men’s coaches are lobbying for their swimmers against the women’s coaches (and vice versa). And what makes for better TV: Phelps or “the Mom” Vollmer? The “outspoken Ruskie-slaying” Lily King or the potential “triple dolphin-kick DQ Guy” Miller? Hard to find a scenario to put Adrian on it or take Manuel off it.

I think I would have put Jack Conger on the 100 fly leg just for the hell of it (and cosmic justice).

well if the hard working lilly king goes sub 1:05 you could make an argument for putting her on this relay. Also if Worrell can’t go sub 57 and Shields goes 51.0 you can see there is a slight time pick from this combination.

FYI – 2 out of the top 8 countries in heats went with an order other than M – M – F – F at the 2015 WC’s in Kazan (CDN and ITL) and in finals 2 out of 8 as well (ITL and RUS) so not quite 90% (75% technically). just some stats… I know they arent the best indicator but the trend is for a medal contending country to put the men on the front half and women on the back half (probably to stay ahead of the wave and because the difference in times between the two sexes is greatest on BR)

I haven’t analyzed specific national team lineups yet, but from the 2016 Olympic finals, the average male backstroker and breaststroker, were around six seconds faster than their female counterparts, compared to only 4 seconds or so in the fly and free. Of course there will be exceptions.

About Loretta Race

Loretta grew up outside Toledo, OH, where she swam age group and high school. Graduating from Xavier University, she stayed in the Cincinnati, OH area and currently resides just outside the city in Northern KY. Loretta got back into the sport of swimming via Masters and now competes and is …